Rationality, Supernaturalism, and Humanism: Traditional Akan Thought Questions Some Western Claims
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2013-12-09
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Abstract
This article takes a critical look at rationality and supernaturalism within the context of humanism. The prevalent philosophical view of a person (especially in the West, since Aristotle) is that he is a rational being. On the basis of this attribute, humans are deemed to understand, know and explain their experiences through the activity of reason—and reason alone. So, anything that cannot be given a “rational” explanation, such as supernaturalism, becomes suspect for the Western thinker. For this reason, also, supernaturalism is often considered as non-humanistic. However, this article reveals how differently traditional Akan thought approaches the question of humanism. It shows the important contribution supernaturalism (prevalent in traditional African thought—and regarded as rational) can make toward a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a person, the world he lives in and of his well-being. It argues, consequently, that humanism can accommodate supernaturalism.